Designers of Hotel Viking’s recently completed renovation carefully incorporated elements of the hotel’s historic past into a makeover of its public spaces. The result: Newport, RI’s Gilded Age grande dame is sitting pretty as its 90th anniversary approaches in May.
Originally funded by the sale of common stock shares, Hotel Viking has been an integral part of the Newport community since it opened in May 1926. The recent renovation, completed in just two months, is designed to retain and strengthen that community bond.
“The goal of the renovation is to enhance interaction and stir up conversation,” said Keith Chouinard, director of sales and marketing, Hotel Viking. “This is the place to make new friends and reconnect with old friends.”
Natural light flows through floor-to-ceiling windows in many of Hotel Viking’s meeting and boardrooms.Natural light flows through floor-to-ceiling windows in many of Hotel Viking’s meeting and boardrooms.
Fresh tones of blue, grey and taupe play on Newport’s maritime heritage. A wall separating the lobby lounge and bar was removed to create an open living-room style space centered on a double-sided fireplace with a seating plan to encourage conversation. The shape of avant-garde ceiling fixtures evokes the essence of early 20th-century crystal chandeliers. An open floor plan creates an easy flow from the Living Room lobby lounge to the updated bar, lounge and self-serve coffee station, leading to Hotel Viking’s signature eatery, One Bellevue. Chef Barry Correia’s new menus complement the updated space with a focus on unique presentation, home-style shared dishes and small plate offerings.
“Chef’s lounge menus have a great sense of sharing and small bites that are warm and welcoming,” said Kevin Thiele, director of food and beverage, Hotel Viking. “The shared and small plates are presented in ‘fun’ food vessels. Flavor profiles also complement our local beer selection and our new signature cocktails. One Bellevue has a fun and inviting menu with tastes from around the New England region with comparable pricing and unique presentations.”
Highlights of the new menus include seasonal salads, New England soup favorites, locally inspired butcher’s block steak selections, locally sourced seafood, and handcrafted desserts created by Hotel Viking’s pastry chef, Morgan Gray.
The updated décor spreads through Hotel Viking’s function and meeting space. In hotel ballrooms, the clean palette is the ultimate canvas for creating custom settings for special occasions. Natural light flows through floor-to-ceiling windows in many of the hotel’s meeting and boardrooms.
With its 90th anniversary on the horizon, Hotel Viking remains an integral part of the Newport community and as a social gathering place. Live entertainment will be offered five nights a week beginning in May and seven nights a week starting in June.
“It’s great to see people’s eyes light up when they walk in,” said Chouinard. “They’re enthusiastic and they appreciate the effort.”
Groups booking 100+ room nights by May 26, 2016 enjoy perks including complimentary meeting space, waived resort fee ($15 daily value per room), complimentary wifi in meeting and guest rooms, two VIP upgrades and welcome amenities, plus 10% discount on audio visual equipment and 10% discount on spa services. To enjoy more savings, groups can ask about “Opportunity Dates” and save 3% more when they book those dates. For group bookings and events, please call Hotel Viking at 401-847-3300.